"The Congress will contest the ensuing Vidhan Sabha elections on the plank of equitable development," he said talking to reporters. The party has successfully worked for inclusive growth during the past 10 years of its regime in Haryana, he said.

Hooda had been facing criticism from some senior leaders within Congress, including Rajya Sabha members Selja and Birender Singh, over "biased" development with thrust on Rohtak constituency from where he contests.

On the coalition between main opposition parties Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), he said "there is nothing new in it". "Both the parties are equally responsible for ruining Haryana," he alleged.

The INLD has always favoured Punjab on issues like Haryana's share of water and the right to manage gurdwaras in the state, he said.

"The INLD-SAD coalition is merely based on their selfish interests," he said. Hooda described the election manifesto issued by the INLD as an "eyewash".